How many transportation resources are in Iowa?

Women's Corner tracks 16 transportation resources for women in Iowa.

Are transportation resources in Iowa free?

9 of the 16 listed transportation resources in Iowa are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Iowa have transportation resources?

Listings span cities including Des Moines, Iowa City, Sioux City, Waterloo, Davenport, Burlington.

What are some examples of transportation resources in Iowa?

Featured entries include Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), Iowa City Transit, Sioux City Transit, Waterloo Metro Transit, Davenport CitiBus.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 16 Iowa transportation listings include phone numbers.

How do I get a free bus pass?

Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.

Are there free rides to medical appointments?

Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.

Can I get help buying or fixing a car?

Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.

What if I have no transportation to my job?

Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.

Best Transportation in Iowa — 16 resources

About Transportation for Women

Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.

Transportation in Iowa

Iowa district courts hear family cases in all 99 counties, with the Child Support Recovery Unit under the Department of Human Services managing enforcement. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City are the largest metros. Iowa Legal Aid and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women, with self-represented litigant coordinators in every county.

16 Resources

1. Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART)

DART operates fixed-route bus service across Polk County from its hub at 620 Cherry Street, with a reduced-fare card for low-income riders and ADA paratransit through DART Paratransit. The unlimited monthly pass is $48 and free to ride at age 65+. Call 515-283-8100 for trip planning or pass enrollment.

515-283-8100 · 620 Cherry St, Des Moines, IA 50309 · Mon-Sat 5am-10pm · Visit Website

2. Iowa City Transit

Iowa City Transit operates 19 fixed routes across Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus from its operations base at 1200 S Riverside Drive. Single rides are

.00 with reduced fares for low-income, students, and elderly riders. SEATS paratransit handles ADA-eligible trips. Phone 319-356-5151.

319-356-5151 · 1200 S Riverside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246 · Mon-Sat 6am-11pm · Visit Website

3. Sioux City Transit

Sioux City Transit operates fixed-route service across the city with discounted passes for elderly and disabled riders, plus the Handi-Bus paratransit service for ADA-eligible trips. Reach customer service at 712-279-6405 to plan a trip or apply for the half-fare ID.

712-279-6405 · Sioux City, IA 51101 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm · Visit Website

4. Waterloo Metro Transit

Waterloo Metro Transit operates fixed-route bus service across Waterloo and Cedar Falls with a discount fare program for low-income, elderly, and disabled riders. The agency also handles the Cedar Valley Friend trips for grocery and medical errands. Customer service at 319-234-5714 explains pass options.

319-234-5714 · Waterloo, IA 50703 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-8pm · Visit Website

5. Davenport CitiBus

Davenport CitiBus operates fixed-route service across the city with a base fare of and reduced fare for elderly, disabled, and Medicare riders. The MetroLINK regional service connects across the river to Rock Island and Moline. Reach Davenport's transit office at 563-888-2151.

563-888-2151 · Davenport, IA 52801 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-8pm · Visit Website

6. Burlington Urban Service (BUS)

Burlington's city bus system operates four fixed routes plus Saturday service across the city with single rides at

.00. A monthly pass is

0 and reduced for elderly riders. The transit office at 319-753-8170 can help with trip planning and paratransit applications.

319-753-8170 · Burlington, IA 52601 · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

7. Iowa Regional Transit Systems

Iowa DOT funds 16 regional transit agencies covering the rural counties without city-run transit, providing demand-response rides for medical appointments, grocery trips, and senior nutrition sites. The DOT transit office at 515-233-6205 can confirm which regional agency serves a particular county.

515-233-6205 · Statewide Service · Varies by region · Visit Website

8. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's California Zephyr passes through Iowa with stops in Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston, offering discounted fares for seniors, veterans, and children. Tickets can be booked through Amtrak.com or by phone; the railroad publishes monthly accessibility specials.

Nationwide · Online

9. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound serves more than 30 Iowa stops with intercity bus service to Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, and Minneapolis, with online discounts for advance booking. The interactive map on greyhound.com shows current schedules and pickup-point details.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus acquired most of Megabus's North American routes in 2024; both brands now operate budget intercity bus service through Iowa City, Des Moines, Davenport, and Council Bluffs with fares as low as $4.99 when booked weeks in advance. Free WiFi and reserved seating on most coaches.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. US Department of Transportation — Free

USDOT's website indexes federal transit, rail, aviation, and accessibility programs, plus the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center serving Iowa older adults. The accessibility resources are particularly relevant for mothers of children with disabilities needing accessible school transportation.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dialing 211 in Iowa connects to Iowa 211, which maintains a transportation referral database covering bus vouchers, gas card programs, faith-based driver volunteers, and Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation. Especially useful in rural areas without fixed-route transit.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

Iowa City VA, Des Moines VA, and several community-based outpatient clinics run the Veterans Transportation Service with volunteer drivers shuttling veterans to medical appointments. Booking is through each facility's volunteer office; rides are free and open to enrolled veterans regardless of service connection.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

Modivcare is the contracted broker for Iowa Medicaid's non-emergency medical transportation benefit, arranging rides to covered medical appointments for fee-for-service Medicaid members at no cost. Iowa Medicaid MCO members have similar transportation benefits arranged through their own plan's broker.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation publishes free Senior Driver Self-Assessment tools, CarFit evaluation programs, and the Roadwise Driver online course tailored to older Iowa drivers wanting to extend driving years safely. Many Iowa AAA offices host annual CarFit clinics in partnership with occupational therapists.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC publishes plain-language guides on coordinating Medicaid transportation, Medicare appointment rides, and Older Americans Act transportation, with state pages including Iowa's mix of fixed-route transit, regional rural transit, and faith-based volunteer driver programs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Iowa?: Women's Corner tracks 16 transportation resources for women in Iowa.
Are transportation resources in Iowa free?: 9 of the 16 listed transportation resources in Iowa are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Iowa have transportation resources?: Listings span cities including Des Moines, Iowa City, Sioux City, Waterloo, Davenport, Burlington.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Iowa?: Featured entries include Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), Iowa City Transit, Sioux City Transit, Waterloo Metro Transit, Davenport CitiBus.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 16 Iowa transportation listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a free bus pass?: Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.
Are there free rides to medical appointments?: Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.
Can I get help buying or fixing a car?: Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.
What if I have no transportation to my job?: Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.